Nikkei 225 closes higher by 0.05% at 21,283.37

Tokyo’s main index ends near flat levels, but closer to the lows today

Japanese stocks had quite a bit to deal with in the session today with trade balance data suggesting that exports are showing a further slump but domestic demand is seen improving. However, US-China trade tensions are still seen lingering in the region and that didn’t really help with the mood in the final two hours of trading.

Elsewhere in Asia, Chinese stocks are on the back foot with the Shanghai Composite down by 0.6% currently. That should lend to a slightly more cautious mood as we begin European trading, with US equity futures also down by 0.1% on the day.